K-State running back Mike McCoy (23) churns his way up field Saturday in the 3rd quarter against Charlotte.(September 9, 2017)
Bo Rader

It's time for another K-State Q&A.

Lots to discuss this week, so let's dive right into your questions. Thanks, as always, for asking them.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Predict a breakout player on both the offense and defensive side of the ball for this coming season.</p>&mdash; Ryan Humphrey (@theR_train) <a href="https://twitter.com/theR_train/status/987043055822934022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On offense, the breakout star will probably be the No. 3 receiver behind Isaiah Zuber and Dalton Schoen. But I'm not sure who that is going to be. Chabastin Taylor? Landry Weber? Isaiah Harris? Zach Reuter? One of them is going to come out of nowhere and have a productive year.

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But, because I don't know who will emerge at WR, I'm more inclined to say Mike McCoy. Yes, K-State's backfield is more crowded than ever, but McCoy is ready to make plays. Alex Barnes will remain the lead back, but McCoy could come off the sideline and have big moments the same way Barnes did as a freshman.

Alex Barnes, Justin Silmon, Dalvin Warmack and Mike McCoy are all capable running backs, and I think they can all "shine" in their own way.

Barnes said something fascinating earlier this week about how he expects K-State to use multiple running backs in certain formations next season. If that happens, you could have Barnes and Warmack on the field at the same time. With a mobile quarterback, that could create a real headache for defensive coordinators.

I love the idea of having a traditional running back and a scatback on the field together.

I thought Dana Dimel did an OK job getting all the running backs touches ... When he wasn't calling plays for the fullback. That shouldn't be an issue this year, and K-State's entire backfield should benefit.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do you think this is good news from a recruiting stand point? As in, maybe we could see a commitment in the next few days from one of the transfers they are after since there is now an open scholarship?</p>&mdash; Scott Ackerman (@ScottyAck) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottyAck/status/986986624583118849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't see it helping or hurting K-State's recruiting efforts. Bruce Weber and his coaching staff were already recruiting as if they had a hole on the 2018-19 roster. Someone was on the way out, we just didn't know who until Thursday. Doubt recruits/tranfers monitored that stuff.

Syracuse transfer Matthew Moyer committed to Vanderbilt over K-State the same day the Patrick news came out. He wasn't swayed.

The interesting thing about Patrick's transfer is that it leaves an obvious hole to fill at the three. Xavier Sneed returns as a dominant starter on the wing, but both of his backups have left the team. Without Amaad Wainright or Patrick, K-State needs someone to step in and play spot minutes next season. Patrick and Wainright combined for 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds this year, so adding comparable depth won't be the most difficult of tasks. But the Wildcats will need someone who can play there next season, not a traditional transfer, to fill that role.

Otherwise, they will need to ask Austin Trice, Cartier Diarra, Pierson McAtee or Patrick Muldoon to spend some time at small forward.

If the Wildcats go after a wing in the 2018 recruiting class, Patrick's departure could help convince that player to sign. But not a transfer.

If Barry Brown returns and Dean Wade gets healthy, the Wildcats are going to be a good basketball team next season. They will be picked high in the preseason Big 12 poll and they will start the year with a ranking. Given how they finished last season, they should be one of the best teams in the conference.

I think they will live up to that billing and play like a legit top 25 team. You don't have to temper expectations beyond that.

The only thing I would caution is to expect a top 10 team or another deep NCAA Tournament run.

The last time K-State entered a basketball season with considerable buzz was 2010 as it came off an Elite Eight with Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly ... and that team started 14-8 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12 before it got its act together. It's not easy to go from hunter to hunted.

It's fine to expect good things, but you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you're thinking another Elite Eight or bust.

You'd have no chance in either scenario, so the debate boils down to how you prefer to receive pain. I feel like I'm a better match for the 10 Gearys, as there's at least a chance I could elude them and avoid the fight entirely. The 50 Sproles would swarm me like piranha!

1. Summer: The Cadillac of seasons. You've got warm weather, grilling, swimming and, in my case, vacation days to use. The only downside: it's not the best for beer. I will drink light beer and Old Milwaukee with pineapple and Mexican lager with lime on a hot day. They're refreshing, but they're not my favorites. I do like me some Stone Ripper, though. The mixture of IPA, grapefruit and other passion fruits really hits the spot. Might need to buy some of that coming up.

2. Spring: Goodbye winter! Too bad this spring has been filled with so many winter days. Sadly, I have never associated beer with spring. Just googled spring beer and didn't recognize much of anything that popped up. Is Tank 7 a spring beer?

3. Fall: I love the beginning of fall, when football starts and there is a chill in the air. And you get to drink Oktoberfest! What a great seasonal beer. It's kind of like the pulled pork or pizza of alcoholic beverages. Even when it's bad it's good. Don't have a preferred brand. Pumpkin ales are also really tasty. Like drinking red beers, especially if they are red IPAs, like The Imperial Texan, around Thanksgiving.

4. Winter: Growing up in Austin didn't prepare me for actual winters, and I still don't like them. Shoveling snow off the driveway is the worst chore ever created. There is a perk to this season, though. Awesome beer! My favorite is the Christmas Ale from Saint Arnold. My parents brought some up for Thanksgiving last year and, needless to say, they were gone well before Dec. 25.

I imagine Willie is the go-to name for any K-State fan that owns a cat. That's somewhat common, right?

Boscoe for a dog.

Could see Bill or Bruce or Snyder for a pet name. Duke (Shelley) would work for a dog. Bishop, Collin or Sproles if you're into the classics. Maybe Jordy?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-cards="hidden" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lost so much in special teams, the kicking/punting/holder, not to mention returners. Have we ever had this much turnover before in one unit?</p>&mdash; Larry Ross (@BowTieMetal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BowTieMetal/status/987012796725460992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>